In August 2012 an amateur astronomer spotted a comet; which was later dubbed Perses, Greek god of destruction. While NASA was tracking its trajectory they discovered it would pass dangerously close to the moon causing Earth’s gravitational field to shift leading to a global catastrophe. The world’s entire nuclear arsenal was launched.

Perses was destroyed and rained down on the unsuspecting world. A dormant alien virus triggered by the nuclear radiation swept across the planet leaving death and mutation in its wake.

Now its time to survive…

Review:

An exploded comet showered down pieces of rock that people snatched up for souvenirs. A dormant virus was just waiting for other medium, like hands, to move into and spread. Once active, the virus caused inexplicable varieties of mutation. Some humans morphed into elves or orcs; some recieved electrical or chemical powers; and others have telepathic abilities or new magic skills. And lets not forget the monsters. Some mutations are good and some are evil. Though it might be nice to allocate the good with good people that isn’t always how it works. Sadly, children mutated into little beasties with claws and a thirst for blood.

Evan Root set up a mostly self-contained farm compound in rural Georgia. Evan lives there with his wife, Jordan, his younger brothers, a few close friends and a few strangers that sought shelter and have stayed. Evan didn’t choose to be a leader but that is the role he has been placed in. Each of the members of the ranch contribute to the work with their different skills. Jordan is able to make bio fuel with a secret formula. Violet can heal with her hands. Lavin, can cast spells and another friend, Richard, can read minds through telepathy. There are other heightened senses and skills as well.

The Root clan survived the initial dangers of the virus, including giant ants and attacking children. Now the group trade their bio fuel at the market which is much like an old time medieval market set up for bartering. But dangers abound and there is a criminal thug in town who is set on building his empire. His primary henchman is a pale, hooded man, who developed a chip that gives him control over others, whether it is the wild children whom he treats like trained dogs, or unsuspecting workers being gathered as a small army. If that isn’t danger enough, a mad scientist who began experimenting on criminals, has discovered a shadowy darkness and wants to join the team of evil doers.

Evan and his crew fight off a relentless attack by the small army, suffering injuries and casualties before they escape. They return home only to discover that Jordan has been kidnapped by the Pale man. While they want to find a way to rescue her, they face another danger at their end of the community. It seems a twisted Preacher is using hidden powers to mind control the crowds. He proclaims that all mutants are unrepentant sinners and must be eliminated.

There is non-stop action going on in this book with very intensely described fighting scenes. I really enjoyed the blend of danger with the everyday activities of surviving. Those aspects made the story very real even with the array of fantasy beings and monsters. Mr. Robinson uses an interesting mix of present activities with memories of past events to fill in the back history. The story is written in present tense which is a bit unusual but it allowed the flash backs to be easily distinguished.

If you like survival stories with twisted fantasy you should enjoy this read. Be forewarned that you may find yourself deeply involved in the lives of the protagonists just as you run into the “to be continued” ending.

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[Note on editing: There were a few pov errors and numerous small typographical errors that could easily be cleaned up with a good sharp editing. Don’t let this discourage you from reading this engaging book. Frankly, it seems that many of the books I am reading have typo errors, and that is not limited to ARCs.]

Survival has always been dangerous, but now it’s more deadly than ever with every move they make outside the farm fence a dance with fate. They have to be prepared for anything while they are out, and their training together is cruicial to their mission’s success. Location 1304-5.

I received this book to review as part of Bewitching Book Tour with Author Interview.

Set in Milledgeville, Georgia for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my ARC and New Author lists.